In Study 1, pts read about either the VW or WorldCom scandals. Identification with these companies, and identification with the monitoring agencies who uncovered the scandals, had opposing relationships with condoning the corruption.
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In Study 2, we manipulated identification with VW, such that the experimental manipulation increased company identification, which in turn predicted condoning the corporate corruption.
In Study 3, we used a fictituous company: STITCHES. Participants were selected due to their strong concern for the environment. Identification was manipulated by presenting STITCHES either as a company with strong environmental credentials (high ID), or this info wasn't given (neutral ID).
Pts were next told that the company provided expensive hospitality to councillors considering their planning application in order to achieve their goals.
There were main effects of the identification manipulation (high/low) on condoning corporate corruption, willingness to join a company loyalty scheme, purchase intentions. There were also indirect effects on number of items "purchased" and "liked".
The findings provide support for an engaged onlookership model of corruption which posits that onlookers are more likely to endorse morally problematic behaviour when they believe it is performed by, and in the interests of, an organisation with which they identify.
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